Facebook. Twitter. Instagram. Yik Yak. Snapchat.

Each platform of social media allows users to express themselves in their own unique way.

Millions of social media users take advantage of these platforms to tell their own stories and share pieces of their lives with friends and loved ones, but where should we draw the line when it comes to expressing our thoughts and opinions?

A young woman recently posted a tweet on her personal Twitter account before she began her first day of work at a new job.

The tweet showed a strong attitude of negativity about her new job accompanied with expletives.

Another woman live-tweeted her travel experiences with rude comments about her fellow passengers on her flight from New York to South Africa. Her tweets included many derogatory comments about other nationalities.

In each scenario, these tweets resulted in the women being fired from their jobs and bullied on social media.

These examples show a glimpse of the importance of exercising discernment on social media. Current and future employers are consistently viewing social media accounts to judge the character of current and potential employees.

Others are watching for the next Facebook or Twitter trend to be a part of and voice their opinion.

What may seem like an insignificant comment or funny blurb may reflect poorly on your character to people across the globe in a matter of seconds.

And even if something you post has no chance of going viral, it is just as important to display wisdom and discernment when posting to social media.

As Christians, we know that our words and actions also reflect on our testimony of Christ. If we are called to be the “salt of the earth” and the “light of the world” in Matthew 5, it is important that every single reflection of our character be God-honoring and a reflection of Christ through us.

Although social media can be used in a fun, lighthearted way to express ourselves, it can be used for so much more than narcissistic monologues.  It should also be simultaneously used as a tool to honor Christ and promote His Gospel.

Before your next post on social media, stop and think about how it would reflect on not only your personal character, but also your testimony of Christ to others on the World Wide Web.